EP0637103A2 - Abbrechbares Kodierelement und Verrieglungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Abbrechbares Kodierelement und Verrieglungsvorrichtung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0637103A2
EP0637103A2 EP94111646A EP94111646A EP0637103A2 EP 0637103 A2 EP0637103 A2 EP 0637103A2 EP 94111646 A EP94111646 A EP 94111646A EP 94111646 A EP94111646 A EP 94111646A EP 0637103 A2 EP0637103 A2 EP 0637103A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
latch
housing
key
electrical connector
housing member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94111646A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0637103A3 (de
EP0637103B1 (de
Inventor
James Lee Fedder
John Raymond Shuey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whitaker LLC
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0637103A2 publication Critical patent/EP0637103A2/de
Publication of EP0637103A3 publication Critical patent/EP0637103A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0637103B1 publication Critical patent/EP0637103B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R9/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, e.g. terminal strips or terminal blocks; Terminals or binding posts mounted upon a base or in a case; Bases therefor
    • H01R9/03—Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable, e.g. tapping connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
    • H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
    • H01R13/6272—Latching means integral with the housing comprising a single latching arm
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/645—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by exchangeable elements on case or base
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
    • H01R13/6275—Latching arms not integral with the housing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a removable key for electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to a break away key and latch assembly for an electrical connector.
  • An electrical connector known from U.S.A. 4,984,992 comprises, an insulative housing block, electrical contacts held by the housing block, spring fingers on each of the contacts for gripping onto a conductive pin, and cavities in an insulating housing for receiving the fingers.
  • the pin extends into a mouth of the cavity, the spring fingers are inserted into the cavity and grip onto the conductive pin.
  • electrical cable connectors are connected to respective groups of electrical wires.
  • the connectors are adapted for mating connection with a header.
  • the connectors are adapted with electrical contacts connected to the wires to connect the wires to an array of conductive pins projecting through a bottom of the header.
  • a cable connector comprises, respective groups of electrical wires terminated with electrical contacts in multiple housing blocks.
  • the housing blocks are nested together in a housing.
  • Removable keys on a connector are disclosed in U.S.A. 4,773,881.
  • the keys are joined to the connector by weakened areas. Each of the weakened areas can be broken to remove a selected key from the connector.
  • a feature of the invention resides in a removable key for a connector, the key being unitary with a latch, and the key being removable from the latch.
  • Another feature of the invention resides in a key unitary with a latch for retaining together separate parts of an electrical connector, the key being removable from the latch.
  • Another feature of the invention resides in a key having removable keying elements joined with a latch for retaining together an insulating housing and an insulating housing block of an electrical connector.
  • an electrical connector comprises, at least one external key on the connector being received by the keying elements to align the connector for connection with selected pins, the key being removable for replacement by another key, and a combination of removable fingers of the key comprising; at least one finger removed and at least one other remaining finger on the key, the remaining finger being received by the keying elements.
  • An electrical connector comprising a housing block including electrical contacts therein and a projection, an insulating housing member disposed onto the housing block, and a latch for latching the housing block and said housing member together, wherein the latch includes a key member joined together with the latch, the latch removably disposed in the housing member and having a hook for hooking into the projection thereby latching the housing block and the housing member together; the housing member includes a passage through which the latch passes to engage and connect with the projection.
  • a cable connector 1 comprises, a housing block 2 , at least one electrical cable 3 , although two are disclosed, connected to conductive electrical contacts 4 in a row, and an insulating housing 5 containing contact receiving cavities 6 .
  • a representative cable 3, Figure 2 has at least one signal wire 7 , although two are shown, and at least one ground, or reference, wire 8 for connection to a reference electrical potential, not shown.
  • Each signal wire 7 is insulated.
  • Each reference wire 8 is beside an insulated signal wire 7, and may be in contact with electrical shielding, not shown, encircling the insulated signal wire 7 and the ground wire 8.
  • An insulative jacket 9 of a corresponding cable 3 covers the shielding.
  • the central one of five of the multiple contacts 4 is a ground contact, and is connected to the reference wire 8 of each of the cables 3.
  • the remaining contacts 4 in the row are signal contacts connected to respective signal wires 7. Connection of the contacts 4 to the respective, signal wires 7 and the reference wires 8 is accomplished by welding or soldering, for example.
  • each contact 4 is of unitary, stamped and formed construction, and includes a front electrical receptacle 10 formed between two opposed, spring resilient spring fingers 11 , and a rear, wire connecting portion 12 connected to a signal wire 7 or a ground wire 7, in the manner as desired previously.
  • Mutually coplanar portions of the spring fingers 11 extend forward from a planar web 15 joining the spring fingers 11. Forward of the coplanar portions 14 of the spring fingers 11, the lengths of the spring fingers 11 are twisted ninety degrees from the plane of the web 15 to provide curved contact surfaces 16 opposing each other. In this manner, the contacts 4 remain slender, and are constructed especially for placement closely on pitch spacings side to side.
  • Each contact 4 is made from relatively thin metal strip, gaining stiffness and spring strength in the spring fingers 11 from the twisted configuration. Front tips 17 of the spring fingers 11 curve outwardly from each other to provide a flared entry for receipt of a slender, conductive pin, not shown, between the contact surfaces 16.
  • the spring fingers 11 are for the well known use to grip a conductive pin on opposite sides to provide an electrical connection between the contact 4 and the pin. Examples of such a pin are disclosed in U.S.A. 4,984,992.
  • the housing block 2 is applied over the wire connecting portions 12 of the contacts 4 where they are connected to the signal wires 7 and ground wires 8.
  • a strain relief portion 18 of the housing block 2 is applied to encircle exteriors of the cables 3 to provide a strain relief.
  • the housing block 2 is an insulative plastics material that is applied by being injection molded, for example, to cover the wire connecting portions 12 and encircle the cables 3.
  • a front of the housing block 2 and a rear of the housing 5 telescope together, with the housing 5 registering against a stop surface 24 on the housing block 2.
  • a projection 25 extends laterally.
  • a recessed keyway 26 is in line with a passage 27 extending through a rear of the housing 5.
  • a window 28 in the housing 5 communicates with the passage 27.
  • the keyway 26 and passage 27 are aligned with the projection 25.
  • An external knob receiving recess 29 in the housing 5 is at a front of the passage 27.
  • a break away key and latch assembly 30 will now be described.
  • a hook shaped latch 31 is constructed for sliding fit along the keyway 26 and the passage 27.
  • the latch 31 is unitary and in line with a tandem, elongated key 32 constructed for sliding fit along the keyway 26.
  • a hook 33 on the latch 31, in alignment with the window 28, will hook onto the projection 25 on the housing block 2, attaching together the housing 5 and the housing block 2, and limiting movement of the latch 31 in a direction that would allow removal of the latch 31 from the passage 27.
  • the latch 31 is unitary with a knob 34 that joins and bridges across the latch 31.
  • the hook 33 registers in the recess 29, Figure 4, to limit movement of the latch 31 in a reverse direction.
  • the key 32 is weakened by notches 35 , or some other form of score lines, at the junction of the key 32 with the latch 31. This allows breaking away and separation of the key 32 from the latch 31, leaving the latch 31 in place, and allowing removal of the key 32 from the keyway 26, if desired.
  • a tool such as a screwdriver, not shown, can enter the window 28, and pry on the hook 33 to deflect the hook 33 away from the projection 25.
  • a deflected position of the hook 33 is shown in phantom outline in Figure 2.
  • Force can be applied to the knob 34, as it projects from the housing 5, to slide the latch 31 removably along the passage 27 in a direction that would allow removal of the latch 31 from the passage 27.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a break away key and latch assembly 30 for multiple connectors 1 located side to side in a stack of connectors 1, Figure 6.
  • the multiple connectors can be of a single composite construction, by molding, for example.
  • Each of the connectors 1 in the stack is constructed similarly as the connector 1 shown in Figure 1, 2 and 4, with a keyway 26 and passage 27 in line, which are aligned with a projection 25.
  • the break away key and latch assembly 30 shown in Figure 5 is of unitary polymer construction, with a knob 34 joining and bridging across the latches 31. The knob 34 will register in each of the knob receiving recesses 29 of the multiple connectors 1 in the stack.
  • the keys 32 in the assembly 1 disclosed in Figure 5 are constructed with weakening notches 35 that enable removal of each of the keys 32 individually.
  • each housing 5 Another side of each housing 5 is provided with a polarization rib 36 for positioning the corresponding connector 1 along a header, not shown. Further details of a header are disclosed in U.S.A. application Serial Number 08/035,132 filed March 19, 1993.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
EP94111646A 1993-07-27 1994-07-26 Abbrechbares Kodierelement und Verrieglungsvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0637103B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/098,486 US5346412A (en) 1993-07-27 1993-07-27 Break away key and latch assembly
US98486 1993-07-27

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0637103A2 true EP0637103A2 (de) 1995-02-01
EP0637103A3 EP0637103A3 (de) 1996-03-27
EP0637103B1 EP0637103B1 (de) 1999-01-13

Family

ID=22269500

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94111646A Expired - Lifetime EP0637103B1 (de) 1993-07-27 1994-07-26 Abbrechbares Kodierelement und Verrieglungsvorrichtung

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5346412A (de)
EP (1) EP0637103B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3446974B2 (de)
KR (1) KR100313129B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69415888T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5871376A (en) * 1996-05-03 1999-02-16 Tsai; Yen Hui Electrical connector for computers
KR100413026B1 (ko) * 1998-04-30 2004-03-22 삼성전자주식회사 커넥터어셈블리
DE19925347A1 (de) * 1999-06-02 2000-12-07 Harting Kgaa Kodiereinrichtung
NL1014236C2 (nl) * 2000-01-31 2001-08-01 Fci Mechelen N V Kabelconnector.
US6357930B1 (en) 2000-04-07 2002-03-19 Panduit Corp. Reversible connector sleeve with a breakway tab
US6283792B1 (en) * 2000-07-11 2001-09-04 Bernard R. Tolmie Extruded metallic electrical connector assembly and method of producing same
US6612857B2 (en) 2001-07-05 2003-09-02 Bernard R. Tolmie Electrical connector system and method having optical and/or cooling capability
US6821146B2 (en) * 2002-01-07 2004-11-23 Bernard R. Tolmie Hybrid connector system and method
DE10245961B4 (de) * 2002-10-02 2007-07-12 Eppendorf Ag Träger für Pipettenspitzen
JP2013137922A (ja) * 2011-12-28 2013-07-11 Tyco Electronics Japan Kk 電気コネクタ
US9847588B2 (en) * 2015-05-19 2017-12-19 Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. Connecting system for superconducting systems
US20220089293A1 (en) * 2020-09-24 2022-03-24 Zipline International Inc. Structures to limit collision damage for aircraft

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0025306A1 (de) * 1979-08-31 1981-03-18 Fujitsu Limited Steckverbinder mit Polarität
GB2075281A (en) * 1980-04-17 1981-11-11 Weidmueller C A Gmbh Co Electrical plug and socket connectors
EP0104755A1 (de) * 1982-09-02 1984-04-04 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) Steckverbindervorrichtung mit kompaktem Kodierungs- und Verriegelunssystem
US4773881A (en) * 1987-05-21 1988-09-27 Amp Incorporated Keying system for connector assemblies
US4984992A (en) * 1989-11-01 1991-01-15 Amp Incorporated Cable connector with a low inductance path

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL290471A (de) * 1962-03-29
JPS5722710Y2 (de) * 1978-10-05 1982-05-17
US4448471A (en) * 1982-05-20 1984-05-15 Amp Incorporated Polarized locking latch cover for an electrical connector
DE3318137C2 (de) * 1983-05-18 1986-07-31 Erni Elektroapparate Gmbh, 7321 Adelberg Mehrpolige elektrische Steckvorrichtung
US4506949A (en) * 1983-05-27 1985-03-26 Rca Corporation Diffractive color separation filter
US4900274A (en) * 1988-12-15 1990-02-13 International Business Machines Corporation Keying system for assuring proper array configuration of cable cards
FR2666936A1 (fr) * 1990-09-14 1992-03-20 Thomas Betts France Fiche isolante encliquetable dans un boitier de connecteurs electriques.
FR2673050B1 (fr) * 1991-02-15 1994-01-28 Francelco Bloc de connexion electrique enfichable et connecteur incorporant un tel bloc.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0025306A1 (de) * 1979-08-31 1981-03-18 Fujitsu Limited Steckverbinder mit Polarität
GB2075281A (en) * 1980-04-17 1981-11-11 Weidmueller C A Gmbh Co Electrical plug and socket connectors
EP0104755A1 (de) * 1982-09-02 1984-04-04 AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation) Steckverbindervorrichtung mit kompaktem Kodierungs- und Verriegelunssystem
US4773881A (en) * 1987-05-21 1988-09-27 Amp Incorporated Keying system for connector assemblies
US4984992A (en) * 1989-11-01 1991-01-15 Amp Incorporated Cable connector with a low inductance path

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5346412A (en) 1994-09-13
DE69415888T2 (de) 1999-07-22
EP0637103A3 (de) 1996-03-27
EP0637103B1 (de) 1999-01-13
JP3446974B2 (ja) 2003-09-16
DE69415888D1 (de) 1999-02-25
KR100313129B1 (ko) 2001-12-28
KR950004640A (ko) 1995-02-18
JPH0773924A (ja) 1995-03-17

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